Colombia Forum

cafetero
Joined 2015
Posts: 2328

8 years ago

Did I choose the right country for retirement?

8 years ago

I wonder if I´m the only expat who ever asks himself or herself this question. Did I choose the right country for retirement?
Apparently I´m still unsure. Even after almost 7 years in Colombia I still read magazine articles with titles like ¨10 best foreign places to retire.
Here is yet another such article, and it answers my question...sort of.
This article is from International Living, a magazine that I sort of enjoy reading. But don´t have a lot of respect for some of their opinions because it seems their articles are sometimes written in a way to encourage, or even drive, prospective retirees to attend one of their in-country retirement seminars and real estate tours. International Living is successful, so I can´t knock their business model, other than I don´t particular like to be led, or herded.
Here´s the article:
http://www.thestreet.com/slideshow/13552416/1/10-countries-where-that-social-security-check-will-let-you-retire-in-style.html?puc=yahooms&cm_ven=YAHOOMS

Sometimes articles are not so friendly to Colombia, but this one is. It is also friendly to 9 other countries, but the International Living articles tend to gloss over certain realities, such as civil wars that are still ongoing, extreme poverty, corruption, and more.
One thing I did pick up from this article though, is how some expats tend to get lonely if they are surrounded only by natives who do not speak English.
I never thought that way until just recently when two events helped me see that it is nice to have fellow expats nearby that I can visit with from time to time.
First, Price Smart opened here in Pereira last year and brought a lot of American goods that such as Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Mexican salsa, Italian Spaghetti sauce, Greek cheese, good sheets and towels and clothing and so forth. I actually didn´t realize I was missing these things until suddenly they were available to me. Now I go once a month to get my American products fix.
Secondly, the Pereira Social Group started meeting two nights a month for social hour. Again, I had´t really realized I was missing anything until suddenly is was available to me. Now I enjoy the conversations and the camaraderie and have begun making friends with the other members.
So, I wonder if I´m the only one who ever asks, ¨Did I choose the right country for retirement?¨

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